Fianna Fáil has maintained its position as the country’s most popular party, according to a new Sunday Independent / Ireland Thinks opinion poll, but its lead over Sinn Féin has narrowed to just one percentage point.
The poll, conducted earlier this week, suggests Fianna Fáil’s support has dipped by two points to 23%, while Sinn Féin has inched up by one point to 22%. Fine Gael trails closely behind, down one point at 20%.
The findings reflect a fluid political landscape as Ireland inches closer to local and European elections, with little to separate the top three parties.
Support for smaller parties and independents remains largely stable. The Social Democrats are holding at 8%, Independents/Others at 9%, and Independent Ireland has gained a point to reach 5%. Aontú and Labour remain at 4%, while Solidarity–People Before Profit sits at 3% and the Green Party at 2%.
Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns maintains a steady 40% approval rating. Labour's Ivana Bacik and Sinn Féin's Mary Lou McDonald both saw modest increases, up two points to 37% and 36% respectively.
For the first time, the poll measured support for Housing Minister James Browne, placing his approval rating at 30% — a figure likely to be watched closely amid ongoing pressure over housing delivery.
The poll was conducted on 1 and 2 May with a sample size of 1,649 respondents. The margin of error is ±2.5%.
The poll, conducted earlier this week, suggests Fianna Fáil’s support has dipped by two points to 23%, while Sinn Féin has inched up by one point to 22%. Fine Gael trails closely behind, down one point at 20%.
The findings reflect a fluid political landscape as Ireland inches closer to local and European elections, with little to separate the top three parties.
Support for smaller parties and independents remains largely stable. The Social Democrats are holding at 8%, Independents/Others at 9%, and Independent Ireland has gained a point to reach 5%. Aontú and Labour remain at 4%, while Solidarity–People Before Profit sits at 3% and the Green Party at 2%.
Leadership Ratings Show Mixed Fortunes
The poll also reveals a shift in approval ratings among party leaders. Taoiseach and Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin saw his support fall three points to 46%, while Tánaiste and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris dropped to 40% — also a three-point slide.Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns maintains a steady 40% approval rating. Labour's Ivana Bacik and Sinn Féin's Mary Lou McDonald both saw modest increases, up two points to 37% and 36% respectively.
For the first time, the poll measured support for Housing Minister James Browne, placing his approval rating at 30% — a figure likely to be watched closely amid ongoing pressure over housing delivery.
Fine Gael Leadership Preferences Revealed
In a new question probing public opinion on Fine Gael’s future leadership, 27% of respondents said they would favour Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe to lead the party, narrowly ahead of current leader Simon Harris (25%). Other figures, such as Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (7%) and Helen McEntee (5%), trailed significantly. Notably, 29% said they had no interest in who leads Fine Gael.The poll was conducted on 1 and 2 May with a sample size of 1,649 respondents. The margin of error is ±2.5%.
